But when sun spot activity is low, a condition that can sometimes persist over decades and longer, the increased cosmic ray bombardment produces more cloud cover, hence cooling influences.

FORBES: Sorry, But With Global Warming It's The Sun, Stupid

Climate scientists have already looked at changes related to Sun spot activity - a cycle of approximately 11 years - and long-term changes in the Sun's brightness, which has a cycle that lasts for centuries.

BBC: Viewpoint: The Sun and climate change

It forms a perfect medley of sand, sun and sea and is an ideal spot to slip away from reality.

BBC: Swimming with sharks in the Philippines

Sun loungers had a lot less competition for a seaside spot in Hammamet this summer.

BBC: Tunisia��s vanguard hotels

Overnight camping at Caracol will be allowed for the first time, allowing winter solstice campers the chance to witness the sun rise on a new B'ak'tun (or cycle) from a very historical spot.

BBC: Maya festivals for the end of time

For from his spot at the frontlines, Ferianto had observed how soldiers and police stood guard in the hot sun and in the pouring rain.

CNN: THE SOUNDS OF CONFLICT

Among the challenges is modifying sensors designed to detect the heat from an incoming warhead so they can spot the much-cooler satellite, which has no heat source and is warmed only by the sun's rays.

CNN: Attempt to shoot down spy satellite to cost up to $60 million

There is no easy way to spot the next Andy Grove or Vinod Khosla (the foreign-born co-founders of Intel and Sun Microsystems).

ECONOMIST: Visas for entrepreneurs